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Today marked a new era for the Heinz factory in Kendal as it become Kendal Nutricare after 25 years.

At its peak this factory employed around 300 people. At the moment it employs around 88 plus contractors. The new company hopes to keep all those jobs and create more.

"There's been a long period of uncertainty here: we've had 12 months of redundancies and a lot of work's gone from the site but I think it's great news for me personally and everyone in Kendal because I've just had a baby and I need the job and it's great for the future."

– Darryl Hall, electrical control software engineer

The pharmaceutical research company makes food such as baby milk and will still produce some Heinz products but it's now run by an Irish entrepreneur rather than a multinational company, and he has big plans.

Credit: ITV Border

"We've a core team now you know not just production, we have research, we have our own laboratories in house and what we want to do is we want to take in apprentices, we want to take people in from the community who want a long-term career here and we intend to develop new products for exports to the Asian markets and across Europe, so we're looking for graduates, we're looking for craft workers and technicians and I want to say to people locally, 'you know, you can come here and have a long-term career'."

– Ross McMahon, managing director, Kendal Nutricare Ltd

Both companies - Kendal Nutricare and Heinz - are hailing the change as a positive move for the site. In a statement, Heinz said:

"The deal includes a two-year co-pack arrangement for Kendal Nutricare to manufacture Heinz infant cereals for the UK as well as Heinz infant formula for the Chinese market.

"The sale offers a positive future for the factory and for the people employed at the site."

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George Falder's death is no longer being treated as suspicious Credit: Cumbria Police

Police investigating the death of a man at the Pirelli factory in Carlisle have now said that they think it was an accident. 48 year old George Falder was found in an industrial steam oven on Sunday evening (30th September).

Police had been treating his death as suspicious, but now say it could have been an accident.The circumstances surrounding the death remain unexplained and investigations will continue on behalf of the coroner.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Forrester has been leading the dedicated team of detectives who have spoken to around 50 people as part of enquiries to date.

A post mortem examination found the father of two had not been assaulted before he died. The inquest has been adjourned until next April.

DCI Forrester said:

“We are into the fifth day of our investigation and so far, my team has spoken to around 50 people who have been able to help us with our enquiries. I would like to thank each and every person for coming forward to speak to us – they have been very helpful.

“I would also like to express sincere thanks to the management and staff at Pirellis for their help and cooperation throughout this very difficult week.

“As a result of a full and thorough investigation, we are at a stage where we are satisfied that no crime has taken place.

"Mr Falder’s tragic death has had a real impact on all his family, friends and colleagues. His family have been kept informed throughout our investigation and are being supported during this terrible time.

“Our investigation will now continue on behalf of the coroner and we will continue to assist the Health and Safety Executive as they continue their own enquiries.”

Workers in west Cumbria who are set to lose their jobs following the announcement that disability employer Remploy is to close their factory have criticised the decision. The Cleator Moor site is one of five earmarked for closure. 15 people are employed there making protective clothing.

"I have been working with the employees to try and secure the future of the business in Cleator Moor.

"On four separate occasions I had a meeting arranged with the minister and on four separate occasions that meeting was cancelled."

He added: "I think this work force have been treated in a despicable way by the government.My aim now is to work with the local authorities and local businesses to try and get support for a employee buy out. That's what the work force want to spend their redundancy money on."